The Bishop of Aberdeen, Hugh Gilbert, on Sunday issued an apology for the abuse allegedly suffered by young boys at a Scottish boarding school over 30 years. “It is a most bitter, and distressing and shameful thing that in this former Abbey school there were a small number of baptised, consecrated, ordained Christian men, who Read more
Some Christians in the United Kingdom are claiming that their religious beliefs are preventing them from getting the top jobs because they are seen as “potential trouble.” A report in the Daily Mail based on the breakdown of employment and religious belief produced by the Office for National Statistics from the 2011 census, said Christians Read more
Pope Francis on Friday called on Muslims and Christians to observe “mutual respect through education” in his message for Muslims at the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. “We are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values,” Pope Francis said in a statement. “We have to Read more
A retired social worker in Scotland who did a research on “problem priests” said a “secret archives” of the Church could contain allegations of sexual abuse by as many as 100 priests and other staff in cases stretching back 50 years. Alan Draper said an independent commission should be allowed access to the archives of Read more
Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Metropolitan Boulous Yazigi, who have been missing for over 100 days now, were reported to be alive and held captive in Turkey, said a report by Fars News Agency. Citing a source, the report said the two bishops who were abducted near Aleppo are still alive and kept in Read more
Pope Francis comment this week that he would not judge priests for their sexual orientation has stirred discussion and debate around the world. “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” the pope was quoted by reporters. The pope’s remarks came up during an Read more
Irish President Michael D. Higgins signed the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act into law on Tuesday, making abortion legal in cases where the mother’s life is at stake. Higgins said the passage of the law is a move toward “basic human rights.” Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore said it was “a historic moment” for Read more
The Vatican bank has launched a website in the wake of a series of scandals and criticism for alleged lack of transparency. Vatican Radio quoted bank president Ernst von Freyberg that the site will provide information “on our reforms and the things we do in the world and how we support the Church and its Read more
Confidential personnel records from five Catholic religious orders in Los Angeles, California, were released to victims of clergy sex abuse on Wednesday. The papers, which were released under the terms of a $660 million settlement agreement reached in 2007, pertain to a dozen priests, brothers and nuns accused of sexual misconduct in the landmark 2007 Read more
Pope Francis this week revealed his plan to travel to Italy, Jerusalem, and Asia in the coming months. “I think papal trips are always good,” the pope was quoted as saying during the flight back to Rome after a week in Brazil. Pope Francis, however, said there is still “nothing definite-definite,” but added that he Read more